It is tricky to be the new girl at school, especially as a teacher in a new school, in a new position, and with a new team of teachers using some new curriculum. I am now faced with getting to know 65 children and three classroom teachers, as well as a dozen other teachers and support staff, just in my corner of the school. I am excited about it, and I want to make sure and do this well.
I am in this new, and not clearly outlined position, because this group of children represents a diverse mix of needs and abilities that is bound to confound us weekly, daily or hourly. I hear keep the principal's words in mind, "lots of executive function difficulties". I can offer an added perspective to help share understanding of how some of these kids operate. When I make suggestions, my intention will be to help the children feel good about themselves, and about school, and to ensure their brains are in a learning place, rather than a place of stress/ lockdown. I know that children who learn differently, particularly those who struggle with the executive functioning skills (skills others learn seemingly with no effort), quickly get the message that there is something 'wrong' with them, even from good teachers. I can see already that each of the three teachers and classes is probably going to need something different from me because they are all different, and that is ok. I am going to do my best not to step on any toes along this new road.
I am in this new, and not clearly outlined position, because this group of children represents a diverse mix of needs and abilities that is bound to confound us weekly, daily or hourly. I hear keep the principal's words in mind, "lots of executive function difficulties". I can offer an added perspective to help share understanding of how some of these kids operate. When I make suggestions, my intention will be to help the children feel good about themselves, and about school, and to ensure their brains are in a learning place, rather than a place of stress/ lockdown. I know that children who learn differently, particularly those who struggle with the executive functioning skills (skills others learn seemingly with no effort), quickly get the message that there is something 'wrong' with them, even from good teachers. I can see already that each of the three teachers and classes is probably going to need something different from me because they are all different, and that is ok. I am going to do my best not to step on any toes along this new road.
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